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Musharraf’s bail plea in Benazir case rejected
Afzal Khan in Islamabad

Lahore HC: Didn't provide security Musharraf has been accused of failing to provide adequate security to Bhutto when she returned to Pakistan from exile She was assassinated by a suicide bomber shortly after addressing an election rally in Rawalpindi in December 2007 FIA’s prosecutor said following the cancellation of his bail petition, Musharraf could be arrested in this case any time Musharraf returned to Pakistan last month after four years of self-exile, promising to “save” the country from economic ruin

A division bench of the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi registry on Wednesday dismissed the bail petition of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in the 2007 assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto, adding to the legal woes of the ex-army chief who is currently being held at his farmhouse.

The Rawalpindi bench of the high court rejected an application by Musharraf's lawyer Salman Safdar for the extension of his interim bail. The cancellation of the bail would necessitate another arrest of the former President, who is already confined in his residence in the judges dismissal case.

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)’s prosecutor Chaudhry Zulfiqar said following the cancellation of his bail petition, Musharraf could be arrested any time now.

The bench had resumed the hearing over a petition filed by Musharraf seeking bail in the case. Musharraf’s counsel instead of giving his argument, had sought more time and requested the court to adjourn the hearing.

Musharraf has been accused of failing to provide adequate security to Bhutto when she returned to Pakistan from self- exile. She was assassinated by a suicide bomber shortly after addressing an election rally in Rawalpindi in December 2007.

Prosecuting lawyer of the FIA had objected to the request arguing that Musharraf was already under detention on judicial remand at his Chak Shehzad residence, which was declared a sub-jail after the cancellation of his bail in the judges detention case The former military ruler was arrested last week after the Islamabad High Court revoked his bail in a case related to the detention of over 60 judges during the 2007 emergency. Musharraf returned to Pakistan last month after nearly four years of self-exile, promising to “save” the country from economic ruin and militancy.

However, he was barred from running in the May 11 General Election, which will mark the first democratic transition of power in Pakistan’s history. He is facing several serious criminal cases.

Lawyers have petitioned the Supreme Court to put him on trial for treason for imposing emergency. He also faces charges over the death of Baloch leader Akbar Bugti in a 2006 military operation. (With inputs from PTI)